Blue Alert network valuable tool

Published: Tuesday, December 02, 2008

EACH DAY WHEN our law enforcement officers put on their uniforms, they place themselves in harm's way to protect and serve us. In turn, we should have the opportunity to do our part to help these officers in their time of need.

The Blue Alert program launched by Texas Gov. Rick Perry is a powerful tool leveraging the eyes and ears of many toward the apprehension of criminals who threaten our protectors.

The program enables rapid, statewide distribution of information related to offenders who flee after killing or seriously injuring federal, state or local law enforcement officers in the line of duty.

n A law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured by an offender;

n The investigating law enforcement agency determines the offender poses a serious risk or threat to the public and/or other law enforcement personnel;

n A detailed description of the offender's vehicle, vehicle tag or partial tag is available for broadcast to the public.

So far this year, more than 60 police officers across the country have been killed in the line of duty. Here in Texas, we have lost seven brave officers in incidents involving drunken drivers, gunfire, and the like.

That is seven too many. It's seven reminders of the perils of law enforcement, and the void created in seven families whose worst fears became a reality. It's an opportunity to say we understand and appreciate the job our local officers do for us 24/7 every day of the year.

"We live in a fallen world, so there will always be a percentage of the human population with no regard for any life but their own," said Gov. Perry. "On behalf of the law-abiding people of Texas, we thank all of our law enforcement personnel for standing between us and them, because that area between us and them can be a dangerous place."

Working together, Texans can show their support for the brave men and women who protect them and ensure that those who do them harm are quickly captured, fully prosecuted and appropriately punished.